Health Briefs: Blood drives coming up in area

Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 8:07 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 8:07 a.m.

Blood drives coming up in area

The Blood Connection will have the following drives in the Hendersonville area:

u 8:15 a.m.-2:30 Friday: North Henderson High School, 35 Fruitland Road. The public is welcome to donate, but should call the office at the school to set up an appointment before Friday. All donors will receive a North Henderson High T-shirt. Call 828-697-4500.

u 4-8 p.m. Nov. 7: First Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and one movie ticket.

Lipid and glucose profiles are done by finger sticking, along with blood pressure and body mass index screenings. For the best results, fast overnight.

Imaging center earns honors

Park Ridge Health Diagnostic Imaging has been recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

"This means all breast imaging services at Park Ridge Health are being delivered according to the highest standards in the radiology profession," said Todd Guffey, director of diagnostic imaging at Park Ridge Health.

The designation is only extended to facilities that have achieved accreditation through the American College of Radiology in stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, as well as accreditation through an FDA-approved state body in mammography.

The Park Ridge Health Breast Center has also earned accreditation for its services through the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a distinction the center has held since 2009.

To schedule a mammogram or speak with a representative, call 855-774-5433.

ASHEVILLE

Hankes named partner at practice

Diane K. Hankes, D.O., has been named a partner of Asheville Anesthesia Associates, P.A. She joined the practice in 2009 and specializes in pediatric anesthesia.

Hankes graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at University of Connecticut, where she was anesthesia chief resident. Dr. Hankes also completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School.

For more information, visit www.asheville anesthesia.com.

Gaskin to speak at birthing expo

Ina May Gaskin is scheduled to speak at the third annual Joyful Birth and Breastfeeding Expo at 10 a.m. Saturday at Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville.

The event includes presentations, films, vendors, kids' activities and prizes. Gaskin is best known for her books "Spiritual Midwifery" and "Childbirth Choices," used in childbirth preparation classes across the country.

Admission is free. For a full schedule, visit www.birthnetwork.org.

Tryon First Baptist to host Care Fair

The "Care Fair 2012 — A Special Day for Caregivers" is set for 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of Tryon, 125 Pacolet St.

The event will help residents learn what services are available in the community, gather information from vendors and speakers, have blood pressure and glucose levels checked. Lunch will be served, and door prizes will be given.

Call St. Luke's Hospital at 828-894-2408.

BREVARD

Meds not linked to meningitis

No medications from the company linked to a national outbreak of fungal meningitis are used at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard or its affiliated medical offices, hospital officials said recently.

"We have thoroughly checked all of the records at our hospital and our medical offices, and we have not ordered or used medications from the New England Compounding Center," said pharmacist Mark Creasman, pharmacy director at Transylvania Regional Hospital. "Patients in our community can be reassured that we do not use medications from the company linked to this meningitis outbreak."

The New England Compounding Center has been tied to a multi-state outbreak of meningitis and other fungal infections among 297 patients identified so far who received a steroid injection with a contaminated NECC product. Among those were two North Carolina residents — one of whom died.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is working to tell health care providers and the public of new recommendations by the federal Food and Drug Administration regarding the safety of medications produced by NECC.

Visit www.trhospital.org.

Compiled from staff reports

Pardee holds open house for Dr. Reis

Pardee Hospital will hold an open house to welcome the hospital’s newest internal medicine physician, Dr. James Reis, from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Pardee Internal Medicine Associates, 709A N. Justice St.

Reis received his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He is board-certified in internal medicine and was the former medical director of the Golden Living Center Extended Care Facility in Richmond, Ind.

Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital. org.

Hastings, Burns attend conference

Jennifer Hastings, Journeys day program director, and Marybeth Burns, marketing coordinator for Tapestry, recently attended the annual conference of the National Eating Disorders Association in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The 2012 conference, titled “What About Us? Diversity and Complexity in Eating Disorders,” brought together professionals, researchers, educators, people in recovery and their families to connect and learn from one another. Tapestry, the conference sponsor, is a comprehensive eating disorder recovery program in Brevard. For more information, call 866-647-0623 or visit www.tapestrync.com.

Nov.: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month, and issues related to memory loss have a serious impact in Western North Carolina. In Buncombe County alone, more than 4,000 people have been diagnosed with dementia, and many more are not diagnosed. The people affected by dementia range from age 50 to the 90s, and often not aware of the services available in the area.

The following services are available:

◆ The Alzheimer’s Association has a help line staffed 24/7 (call 800-272-3900) and provides educational programs in the area. Information: 828-230- 3885

◆MemoryCarein Asheville is the only diagnostic clinic in Western North Carolina. It focuses on caring for people with memory loss and their families. MemoryCare also offers Caregiver Education Programs in Buncombe and Haywood counties and three support groups in Buncombe and Henderson counties. Information: 828-771-2219.

◆Memory cafes in local churches is also available for support. A memory cafe is an opportunity for people and families living with Alzheimer’s to get out and socialize in a safe and supportive space. For more information, call Jane Sherman at 845-641-4680.

The following adult day programs provide care for people with memory loss and respite for caregivers:

<p>Blood drives coming up in area</p><p>The Blood Connection will have the following drives in the Hendersonville area:</p><p>u 8:15 a.m.-2:30 Friday: North Henderson High School, 35 Fruitland Road. The public is welcome to donate, but should call the office at the school to set up an appointment before Friday. All donors will receive a North Henderson High T-shirt. Call 828-697-4500.</p><p>u 4-8 p.m. Nov. 7: First Presbyterian Church, 699 N. Grove St. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and one movie ticket.</p><p>u 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 9: Park Ridge Hospital, 100 Hospital Drive. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and two movie tickets.</p><p>u Noon-4:30 p.m. Nov. 9: Pardee Health Education Center in the Blue Ridge Mall. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and two movie tickets.</p><p>u 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 25: Walmart, Hendersonville. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and two movie tickets.</p><p>Park Ridge health screening Friday</p><p>Park Ridge Health will offer a free cholesterol screening at the Dollar Tree store at 50 Highlands Square Drive from 8-11 a.m. Friday. </p><p>Lipid and glucose profiles are done by finger sticking, along with blood pressure and body mass index screenings. For the best results, fast overnight. </p><p>Imaging center earns honors</p><p>Park Ridge Health Diagnostic Imaging has been recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.</p><p>"This means all breast imaging services at Park Ridge Health are being delivered according to the highest standards in the radiology profession," said Todd Guffey, director of diagnostic imaging at Park Ridge Health.</p><p>The designation is only extended to facilities that have achieved accreditation through the American College of Radiology in stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, as well as accreditation through an FDA-approved state body in mammography.</p><p>The Park Ridge Health Breast Center has also earned accreditation for its services through the American College of Surgeons National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a distinction the center has held since 2009. </p><p>To schedule a mammogram or speak with a representative, call 855-774-5433.</p><p>ASHEVILLE</p><p>Hankes named partner at practice</p><p>Diane K. Hankes, D.O., has been named a partner of Asheville Anesthesia Associates, P.A. She joined the practice in 2009 and specializes in pediatric anesthesia.</p><p>Hankes graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo. She completed her residency in anesthesiology at University of Connecticut, where she was anesthesia chief resident. Dr. Hankes also completed a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School. </p><p>For more information, visit www.asheville anesthesia.com.</p><p>Gaskin to speak at birthing expo</p><p>Ina May Gaskin is scheduled to speak at the third annual Joyful Birth and Breastfeeding Expo at 10 a.m. Saturday at Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville. </p><p>The event includes presentations, films, vendors, kids' activities and prizes. Gaskin is best known for her books "Spiritual Midwifery" and "Childbirth Choices," used in childbirth preparation classes across the country. </p><p>Admission is free. For a full schedule, visit www.birthnetwork.org.</p><p>Tryon First Baptist to host Care Fair</p><p>The "Care Fair 2012 — A Special Day for Caregivers" is set for 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of Tryon, 125 Pacolet St.</p><p>The event will help residents learn what services are available in the community, gather information from vendors and speakers, have blood pressure and glucose levels checked. Lunch will be served, and door prizes will be given.</p><p>Call St. Luke's Hospital at 828-894-2408.</p><p>BREVARD</p><p>Meds not linked to meningitis</p><p>No medications from the company linked to a national outbreak of fungal meningitis are used at Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard or its affiliated medical offices, hospital officials said recently.</p><p>"We have thoroughly checked all of the records at our hospital and our medical offices, and we have not ordered or used medications from the New England Compounding Center," said pharmacist Mark Creasman, pharmacy director at Transylvania Regional Hospital. "Patients in our community can be reassured that we do not use medications from the company linked to this meningitis outbreak." </p><p>The New England Compounding Center has been tied to a multi-state outbreak of meningitis and other fungal infections among 297 patients identified so far who received a steroid injection with a contaminated NECC product. Among those were two North Carolina residents — one of whom died.</p><p>The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is working to tell health care providers and the public of new recommendations by the federal Food and Drug Administration regarding the safety of medications produced by NECC.</p><p>Visit www.trhospital.org.</p><p>Compiled from staff reports</p><p>Pardee holds open house for Dr. Reis</p><p>Pardee Hospital will hold an open house to welcome the hospital's newest internal medicine physician, Dr. James Reis, from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 13 at Pardee Internal Medicine Associates, 709A N. Justice St.</p><p>Reis received his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He is board-certified in internal medicine and was the former medical director of the Golden Living Center Extended Care Facility in Richmond, Ind.</p><p>Call 866-790-9355 or visit www.pardeehospital. org.</p><p>Hastings, Burns attend conference</p><p>Jennifer Hastings, Journeys day program director, and Marybeth Burns, marketing coordinator for Tapestry, recently attended the annual conference of the National Eating Disorders Association in St. Petersburg, Fla.</p><p>The 2012 conference, titled “What About Us? Diversity and Complexity in Eating Disorders,” brought together professionals, researchers, educators, people in recovery and their families to connect and learn from one another. Tapestry, the conference sponsor, is a comprehensive eating disorder recovery program in Brevard. For more information, call 866-647-0623 or visit www.tapestrync.com.</p><p>Nov.: Alzheimer's Awareness Month</p><p>November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver Month, and issues related to memory loss have a serious impact in Western North Carolina. In Buncombe County alone, more than 4,000 people have been diagnosed with dementia, and many more are not diagnosed. The people affected by dementia range from age 50 to the 90s, and often not aware of the services available in the area.</p><p>The following services are available:</p><p>◆ The Alzheimer's Association has a help line staffed 24/7 (call 800-272-3900) and provides educational programs in the area. Information: 828-230- 3885</p><p>◆MemoryCarein Asheville is the only diagnostic clinic in Western North Carolina. It focuses on caring for people with memory loss and their families. MemoryCare also offers Caregiver Education Programs in Buncombe and Haywood counties and three support groups in Buncombe and Henderson counties. Information: 828-771-2219.</p><p>◆The Dementia Responsive Care Team</p><p>at Mission Hospital helps coordinate the communication between hospital staff and family members/ patients. Information: 828-213- 4542.</p><p>◆Project CARE(Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty) is a nonprofi t group who help with counseling and respite care. Information: 828-687- 5610.</p><p>◆Land-of-Sky Regional Councilhas a Family Caregiver Support Program that helps caregivers find services in the Region B (Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Transylvania) area. Information: 828-251- 6622.</p><p>◆Early Memory Loss Collaborativeis a number of support groups for people with early memory loss. Pre-screening is required. Information: 845- 641- 4680.</p><p>Events in November to highlight memory loss and caregiver concerns:</p><p>◆10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov.</p><p>8: Community Resource Connections dementia services seminar at Carolina Village, Hendersonville. Information: 828-692-4203; 828-779- 5577.</p><p>◆10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 9: Fun Friday for Family Caregivers at Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher. Information: 828-251-6622; 828-645-9189.</p><p>◆5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 15: Family education workshop on dementia by Home Instead Senior Care at Land-of-Sky Regional Council, 339 New Leicester Highway, Asheville. Information: 828-274-4406.</p><p>◆Memory cafes in local churches is also available for support. A memory cafe is an opportunity for people and families living with Alzheimer's to get out and socialize in a safe and supportive space. For more information, call Jane Sherman at 845-641-4680.</p><p>The following adult day programs provide care for people with memory loss and respite for caregivers:</p><p>◆CarePartnersat 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville. For information, call 828-277-3399; visit www.carepartners.org.</p><p>◆DayStay,35 Candler School Road, Candler. For information, call 828-665-1575; visit www.daystay asheville.com.</p><p>◆Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue,229 Murdock St., Asheville. For information, call 828-253-2900; visit www.jcc - asheville.org.</p><p>◆Marci's Adult Day Services,5 West Oakview Road, Asheville. For information, call 828-702-0691 or 828-665-3143; visit www.marcisadultday services.com.</p><p>◆Pardee Pavilion,114 College Drive, Flat Rock. For information, call 828-697-7070; visit www. pardeehospital.org.</p><p>◆KOALA,23 Medical Park Circle, Brevard. For information, call 828-884-2980; visit www.trhospital. org.</p>